Shazia Parveen, a fire fighter of rescue unit 1122 in Vehari, near Multan, has made the country and possibly all of Asia proud by becoming the Pakistan’s first female firefighter.
Despite the inherent hazards, becoming the first female firefighter has long been a goal for Shazia. So when the Women’s Department at Rescue 1122 became available, she leaped at the chance.
Parveen’s enthusiasm was unaffected by the possibility of working among guys.
But getting to Shazia’s dream hasn’t been simple.
Parveen had to go through grueling training sessions with Punjab Emergency Services in Lahore for seven months after being hired.
With the assistance of ropes that ran 300 feet up and down the earth, she learned to swim, jump, and rescue. She was the only woman in the group of 600 who finished the training.
Parveen and her eight family members live in Karampur.
In 2010, Parveen became a member of the rescue services. She selected the profession on her own choice and with the backing of her late father, Rehmat Ullah, a former army officer.
Though it is a dangerous profession, Parveen believes it is very rewarding since, at the end of the day, one feels satisfied after helping others in an emergency.
Parveen says that her siblings and she were brought up to help others, and that’s why she joined rescue services. Luckily, her family and others in her neighborhood were “very supportive” of her career choice.
Shazia is working while getting her master’s degree.
She believes Pakistani women are extremely talented. She says they are physically powerful and, in addition to excelling in regular occupations, may establish a name for themselves in unusual fields.
Parveen added that, similar to nursing and medical care, rescue services are suited to women’s abilities and that they should not be afraid to enter the field.
Shazia Parveen was promoted to Lead Fire Instructor.
She was transferred to Lahore’s Rescue department at Thokar Niaz Baig six years after joining Rescue 1122 in Vehari and participating in different field operations.
She is presently training the new team members on firefighting standard operating procedures in Lahore.
Extinguishing flames, climbing high-rise buildings, rescuing, and assisting individuals in traumatic situations are part of training, according to Parveen.
Rescue 1122 is divided into three wings: Rescue, Fire, and Medical.
All of them are difficult and test the team members’ physical and mental strength, devotion, and resolve to participate in rescue missions, says Shazia Parveen.
Firefighters are responsible for more than just putting out fires.
They are frequently the first on the scene in medical situations, equipped as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and trained in search and rescue missions.
